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Abstract

A distributed protocol for allocation of multicast addresses. A first node of a network sends an address request message identifying (1) a requested in multicast address, and (2) a multicast group identifier to which the requestor belongs. The request is in multicast on a network address reserved for address resolution. All other nodes of the network monitor the reserved network address for address request messages. If a second node receiving the address request message has already allocated the requested multicast address, then the second node sends an acknowledgment message identifying (1) the already allocated in multicast address, and (2) the multicast group for which the address has been allocated. This acknowledgment is transmitted on the same reserved network address on which the address request was sent. The first node, monitoring the reserved network address, receives the acknowledgment message. If the multicast group identified in the acknowledgment message matches the multicast group to which the first node belongs, then the first node also allocates the requested network address. If the multicast group identified in the acknowledgment message does not match the multicast group to which the first node belongs, then the first node abandons the requested network address. If the first node does not receive an acknowledgment message in response to any number of address request messages repeated for the same requested multicast address, then the first node either (1) allocates the requested network address, or (2) abandons the requested network address, if the node is not the first member of a multicast group to request allocation of the address. If address allocation succeeds, then the first node uses the allocated network address for multicasting. If address allocation fails, then the first node is free to select a different multicast address to request.

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First Claim